Mechanical shorthand writing means



1943- w. v. KIRKPATRICK 2,325,612

MECHANICAL SHORTHAND WRITING MEANS Filed Jan. 21, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY s PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATE MECHANICAL SHOR'I'HAND WRITINGMEANS Wendell v". Kirkpatrick, San Diego, Calif.

Application January 21, 1941, Serial No. 375,273

12 Claims.

My invention relates to a mechanical shorthand writing means and method,more particularly a means and method arranged to be readily understoodand used by students of conventional easily understood indication ofvarious subject matter when written in accordance with said method;

Eighth, to provide a mechanical shorthand shorthand writing theory andthe objects of my writing means and method of this class in whichinvention are: the subject matter written therewith may be First, toprovide a shorthand writing means easily supplied with interpolations orthe like and method of this class which is readily and by means ofmethod related hand-written shortquickly understood and utilized,especially by hand without confusion; students of the conventional Greggshorthand l0 Ninth,toprovide amecha'nical shorthand writmethod; ingmeans and method of this class which is Second, to provide a shorthandwriting means especially advantageous to left-handed persons of thisclass in which substantially all of the who have difllculty in masteringfluent handmost used Gregg shorthand symbols are each inwritingprocedure which was primarily designed dicated by letter equivalentswith the operation 15 for right-handed persons; of one key of saidmeans; Tenth, to provide a mechanical shorthand Third, to provide ashorthand writing means writing means of this class which is especiallyof this class in which substantially all of the keys adapted for use inspelling out technical words and corresponding type characters arranged.to for which no shorthand symbols are available write shorthand symbolsare the same as the condue to the arrangement of the keys thereof whichventional typewriter characters and are in the conform in character andposition to the consame position as said characters on theconvenventional typewriter keyboard keys whereby the tional typewriterkeyboard providing natural operator thereof may spell out said technicaladaptation of .a typist to my shorthand writing words at the usualtypewriter speed of the opmeans; erator;

Fourth, to provide a shorthand writing means Eleventh, to provide ashorthand writing and method of this class with which the operator meansand method of this class which may be thereof may designate complete andextensive taught in theory combination with hand-written words with asingle stroke of cooperatively arshorthand methods; ranged keys of saidmeans; Twelfth, to provide a shorthand writing means Fifth, to provide ashorthand writing means of and method of this class which may be usedthis class in which the keyboard is provided with especially incombination with publications of a plurality of keys arranged to actuatecorresthe conventional Gregg shorthand method preponding typing membersbearingidentical charpared especially for certain businessorganizaacters thereon provi 'ng an arrangement of the tions,professions and foreign languages; keys and writing operation of saidmeans where- Thirteenth, to provide a novel shorthand writby theoperator thereof may designate various ing means of this class;combinations of characters in various continuity; Fourteenth, to providea novel shorthand writ- Sixth, to provide a mechanical shorthand writingmethod of this class; ing means of this class which promotes he de- 40Fifteenth; to provide a mechanical shorthand velopment of relativelygreat speed and legibility writing means of this class which is arrangedto in writing, affords ease to the operator thereof print numerouscharacters in upright transverse and is arranged to be used incooperative relarelation on a movable strip of paper whereby tion withthe conventional methods of handseveral of said characters are readablein conwritten shorthand; tinuity transversely of said paper ship; and

Seventh, to provide a shorthand writing Sixteenth, to provide amechanical shorthand method of this class in which the conventionalwriting means of this class which is very simple Gregg shorthand soundcombinations are indiand economical. of construction in accordance catedby natural, simple and meaningful letter with its utility, efilcient inits action and which equivalents thereof providing a very clear and willnot readily deteriorate or get out 01' order.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter myinvention consists of certain novel features of construction,combination and arrangement of parts and portions and certain methods aswill be hereinafter describedlin detail and particularly set forth inthe appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsand to th characters of reference thereon which form a part of thisapplication in which: v

Figure 1 is a plan sectional view of my mechanical shorthand writingmean taken from the line l--l of Fig. 2 showing portion broken away andin section to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 2 is a sectional viewtaken'from the line 22 of Fig. 1 showing the type receiving strip inits-operative relation with my mechanical shorthand writing means; Fig.3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top or plan view'of a portion of my mechanicalshorthand writing means taken from the line 4 -4 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 isafragmentary sectional view taken from the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. s Similarcharacters of reference refer to simila parts and portions throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

The casing I, main key supporting levers 2,- key engaging levers 3, keylever journal member 4,

roller l8, friction roller l9, platen roller operat-' ing spacer member20, ratchet operating lever 2! I, ratchet pawl 22, ratchet wheel 23 andthe lever stop member 24 constitute the principal parts and portions ofmy mechanical shorthand writing means used in carrying out my shorthandwriting methods.

The casing l is a hollow substantially box-like casing, preferably madeof sheet metal, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

Rigidly secured on the inner side of this casing I at one end is the keylever journal member 4. Rigidly positionedin connection with this keylever journal member 4 is a pin 4a. Pivotally mounted on this pin 4a arethe main key supporting levers 2 and the key engaging levers 3,-all asshown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The keys 9 are each provided withshank portions 9a which are reciprocably mounted in the main keysupporting levers2, as shown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Secured onthe lower end of these shank portions 9a of the keys 9 are stop members92; arranged to limit the shifting action of the shank portion 9a of thekeys 9 when actuated by the key supporting springs In which tend toforce the keys 9 upwardly away from the main key supporting levers 2. I

The key supporting springs III are coil compression springs mountedaround the shank portions 9a of the keys 9 interposed between the lowerside of the keys 9 and the bottom of recessed portions 2a in the upperside of the main key supporting leve s 2, all as shown best in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings.

Positioned in these recessed portions 2a are sleeve members 21) whichencase the key supporting springs l9 and are arranged to limit thedownward movement of the keys 9 by engagement of the cushion washers 90with the upper end of said sleeves 2b, all as shown best in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings. The outer end portion of each of the main key supportinglevers 2 is preferably made of light plasticmaterial or other suitablelight material and is arranged-to support the keys 9 in substantiallythe relation as shown in Figs. 1

These portions 20 of the and 2 of the drawings. main key supportinglevers 2 are secured to the thin plate-like portions 2d of the main keysupporting lever 2 by means of the pins 2e, as shown best in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings. The flat platelike portions 2d of the main key supportinglevers 2 are guided in the key lever guide 5 near and above theirpivotal mounting on the-pin 4a, as shown best .in Figs. 1 and 2 of thedrawings. These'main key supporting levers 2 at their portions 2d arealso guided by the key lever guide 6 which is positioned intermediatethe key lever guide 5 and the portion 20 of each of these main keycasing supporting levers 2, as shown best in Figs. 2 and 5 of thedrawings. In Figure 5 of the drawings, thev guide portions 6a of the keylever I guide 6 are shown positioned intermediate each of providing anarrangement whereby the key engaging levers 3 are positioned in the sameguide channels of the lever guide 6 as are the portions 2d of the mainkey supporting levers 2. These key engaging levers 3 are arranged toconform in vertical alignment with the main key supporting levers 2 sothat the end portions 3b of these key engaging levers 3 are engaged attheir upper .side edges by the stop members 91) mounted on the shankportions 9a of the keys 9, all as shown best'inFig. 2 of the drawingsand by'dash lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

It will be noted that the row of the keys 9 adjacent the spacin bar 1 donot engage the key engaging levers 3. This row of th keys 9 adjacent thespacing bar I is arranged foruse in providing simultaneous pivotaloperation of individual main key supporting levers 2, together withcorresponding key engaging levers 3. Each of these keys 9 in the rowadjacent the spacing bar I is arranged in reciprocal operative relationwith the. portion 20 of each of the main key supporting levers 2providing a necessary amount of reciprocating action relatively to theother rows of keys 9 positioned on the opposite side thereof from thespacing bar i.

The adjustable lever supporting springs II are secured on the upper sideedges of the main key supporting lever 2 and are adjustably supported attheir upper end by means of the screws I la which are arranged in screwthreaded relation with a bar lib which is secured on the inner side ofthe casing I, all as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The lever interconnecting springs H are interposed between the main keysupporting lever 2 and the key engaging lever 3, as shown best in Fig. 2of the drawings. Secured on each of the key engaging levers 3 is a pin30 to which the lower end of one of the lever interconnecting springs I2is secured. The upper end of each of these lever interconnecting springsI2 is secured to one of the main key supporting levers 2 by means'of apin 2f extending outwardly from each of said main key supporting members2, all as shown best in Figs. '1 and 2 oi the drawings.

The spacing bar I is rigidly secured on the extending ends oi thespacing bar levers 8 and these spacing bar levers 8 are arranged toextend through the lever guide 6 and are pivotally mounted at theiropposite ends on the pin 4a in the lever Journal member 4, as shown bestin Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. a

Engaging the lower side edges of the spacing bar levers 8 and the keyengaging levers 3 is the platen roller operatingspaoer member 20. Thisplaten roller operating spacer member 2llis pivotally mounted on theratchet operating lever 2 I by means of the pin 20a. v

The ratchet operating lever. 2| is pivotally mounted on a pin 2la whichis rigidly secured to the casing I, shown best in Figs. '2 and 3 of thedrawings. f v The platen roller operating spacer member 20 isresiliently supported by a spring 20b which is secured to a pm 200 atits upper end, which pin: 200 is rigidly secured on the inner side orthe member operating links H. Each these type member operating levers l8and one of the main key supporting levers 2 is one of the type memberoperating links l5. Theupper end of each of these type member operatinglink is secured to one or the type member operating levers ll bymeans01' a pin I54: and the lower end of each or these type member operatinglinks II is secured to one of the main keyoperating. levers 2 by meansor a pin lib. Pivotally con nected with each or the type supportingmembers II at one side'ot the pins lie is one of the type of these typeme'mber operating links I4 is pivotally secured to one o! the typesupporting members I! by means v a of the pin Ila and each of the typmember op crating links ll is secured to one or the key engaging levers3 in pivotal relation therewith by,

means 0! one or the pins Mb. The stop member 24 is rigidly secured tothe upper portion of the key lever guide I and is arranged to engage thecasing l, as shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawings and indicated by dashlines in Fig. I or the drawings. The lower endof this spring b isrigidly secured ona pin 20d secured to the platen roller operatingspacer member 20.

Each of the spacing bar levers '8 is resiliently supported by a spring8a, the iipper end of which I is secured on a pin 81) in rigid connectedrelation with the casing l. The lower endof each of these springs 8a isconnected with a pin 8c secured on the outer side of each 01' thespacing bar.

levers 8, as shown bestin Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The platen-roller I8 is provided with;a Qentral shaft 18a which isjournalled in brackets lib at opposite ends of said platen roller [8, asshown best in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Securedon this centralshaft l 8a outwardly oi one of the brackets lib is the ratchet wheel 23.This ratchet wheel 23 is provided with angular teeth portions 23aarranged to be engaged by the ratchet pawl 22 which is pivotally mountedon the opposite end of the ratchet operating lever 2| from the pin 2| a.Interconnecting the ratchet pawl 22 and an upwardly extending pin 2lb onthe ratchet operating lever 2l is a spring 22a. It will be here notedthat the ratchet pawl 22 .is

pivotally mounted on th ratchet operating lever 2l by means of the pin220. A

Positioned in close spaced relation with the upper peripheral side ofthe platen roller I8 is the friction roller is, the. opposite ends ofwhich are journalled in the brackets lab, as shown best in Fig. 1 of thedrawings. Referring particularly I to'Flg. 2 of the drawings, it will beobserved that this friction roller I9 is arranged to engagethe paper Aat the opposite sides thereof from the platen roller l8 providing africtional engaged relation of the paper A with the platen roller l8 asit is revolved by the ratchet wheel 23 in cooperative relation with theratchet pawl 22 operated by the ratchet operating lever 2|.

The ribbon l! is similar to a conventional typewriter ribbon and ismounted on cooperating type member operating levers I6 is mounted inupper side edges of each of the main key supporting levers 2. as shownbest drawings. a w

-The type supporting members'l3 are provided with a guide member l3b, asshown best in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, which is rig-idly securedon the inner side of the casing I. This guide member lib is providedwith spaced finger porin Fig. 2' 01' I the tions l3c which areinterposed between the type supporting members I I for guiding said typesupporting members I: during pivotal and reciprocating movement thereof.4

The operation of my mechanical shorthand writing means is substantiallyas follows:

A conventional folded strip of paper 'A is positioned in the lowerportionof the casing l and.

extends outwardly through the opening la in the casing l and backwardlyaround the platen roller l8 and outwardly over the upper side thereof asshown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Each time one of the key engaginglevers 3'or the spacing bar lever l is forced downwardly engaging theplaten roller operating spacer member 20, the ratchet operating lever 2|is pivotally shifted in connection therewith operating the ratchet pawlin its engagement with its ratchet wheel 23 performing intermittentrevoluble operation of the platen roller I8, as shown by dash lines inFig. 3 of the drawings. As the keys 9 are depressed they compress thekey supporting springs Ill and reciprocate-in the portions 20 of themain key supporting levers 2 forcing the key engaging levers 3downwardly causing the type member operating link It to pivot the typesupporting members IS on the pins l3a bringing one of the typecharacters l3d into proper position relatively with the platen roller l8for printing against the ribbon l1 and on the strip of paper A. As the'reciprocation of the shank portions lia of the keys 9 forces said typecharacters l3d into position, the cushion washers 9c engage the upperedge of the sleeves 2b and the keys then force the main key supportinglevers 2 downwardly carrying the type member operating links l5downwardly and pivoting the type supporting members l3 toward the platenroller l8 bringing the type characters l3d into position against theribbon and imprinting upon the paper strip A- the desired characters. Itwill be noted that the pivotal movement of the type supporting member Ison the pins I30 continues as the downward movement of the main keysupporting lever 2 takes place. The row of keys 9 adjacent the spacingbar 1 do not engage the key engaging levers 3 ing lever 2, together withthe key engaging levers 3, pivot on the pin to and shift the desiredtype characters upwardly and forwardly toward the platen roller I8 forimprinting said characters upon the paper strip A.

The operation of the ribbon I'I, together with the spool Ila issubstantially conventional and similar to the operation of aconventional typewriter ribbon.

It will be here noted that means for revolving the spool ila is notshown in the drawings and is no part of my present invention.

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, it will be observed that the paperstrip A issuing from my mechanical shorthand writing means over theplaten roller i8 bears typewritten characters thereon which correspondto the various characters indicated on the keys 9 as shown in Fig. l ofthe drawings.

The characters indicated on the paper strip A near the side edge Athereof correspond with the keys 9 on the right hand side oi. thekeyboard of my mechanical shorthand writing means, as shown in Fig. 1 ofthe drawings. The characters on the paper strip A near the side edge A"thereof correspond with the keys 9 on the left hand side of mymechanical shorthand writing means, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

It will be noted that the upright alignment of the characters on thepaper strip A is arranged transversely of said paper strip A and thatthese characters on the paper strip A are read in continuityirom theside A of the paper strip A toward the side A" of said paper strip A,each row of characters being read transversely of the paper strip A, oneafter the other, and in the direction as indicated by the arrow B inFig. 4 of the drawings.

My methods'for writing shorthand used in connection with my mechanicalshorthand writing means are substantially as follows:

As hereinbefore set out my methods for Writing shorthand as used inconnection with my mechanical shorthand writing means are associatedwith the conventional Gregg shorthand methods. The following soundcombinations are the letter equivalents of the basic Gregg shorthandcharacters.

Each of these letter equivalents of the Gregg shorthand characters canbe Written with a single stroke of the keys of my mechanical shorthandwriting means. These sound combinations and the combination of them areall that are required to express all of the words that are expressed byuse of the Gregg shorthand methods.

aaaaera Many of the above letters and combinations express completewords in themselves. A few examples will show how they may be combinedto make other words and phrases:

a t m t n r u k th e a.

E p I can go to the meeting in an hour. You

111 o t e m a n g th. e

t may want to go with me.

v i m d t f s e e n f m ch 11 1 Very few men would find time for such da e b s r n t l n s s sh d details when business is so rushing and i.(ll: ta. f s f r a.

a. it is difficult to arrange for a s s th s k l gp n e e b rs s v u ssubstitute. These service club groups in s s r m g e e d ch v t u v sseveral cities are doing much good.

The paper strip A is of sufiicient width to accommodate the elevenletters or characters printed end to end in transverse relation with thestrip, as shown, as shown in Fig. 4 of the.

drawings. As viewed by the operator of my mechanical shorthand writingmeans, the letters are typed on the paper strip A on their right side sothat'combinations written in order from right to left across the tapehorizontally as the tape passes through the machine will be readvertically from the edge A of the paper strip toward the edge A of thepaper strip after it is removed from the machine and turned at a rightangle to the printing position, all as shown best in Fig. 4 of thedrawings.

The arrow C in Fig. 4 of the drawings illustrates the directionalmovement of the paper strip, while the arrow B indicates the directionof procedure while reading the subject matter on the paper strip A, allas shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

It will be obvious to anyone who understands the Gregg shorthand theoryto associate the letter equivalents as hereinbefore set out with thesound combinations of the basic Gregg characters. Most of the keys on mymechanical shorthand writing means are arranged in the position ofconventional typewriter keys and are arranged to control similarcharacters to the keys on a conventional typewriter. desired to spellout technical words for which there is no Gregg shorthand symbol orcombination of such symbols, the operator of my mechanical shorthandmeans may write out tech- 1 nical words or terms at usual typewriterspeed. Referring particularly to Fig. 1, it will be ob Therefore when itis.

ods, I do not wish to be limited to this'particular construction,combination and arrangement of parts and portions, nor to the particularmethods,

but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction,combination and arrangement pivotally mounted at' their opposite ends,said type member operating levers pivotally connected vided with keys ontheir extended ends and with said keysupporting levers at one side ofsaid opposite pivotally mounted end of each-oi said main key supportinglevers,v said keys pro- -vided with shank'portlons reciprocally mountedin said main key supporting levers, key engaging levers eachpivotallymounted at one end and. positioned in adjacent relation with said shankportions of'said keys and engageable therewith,

and type member operating links pivotally con-- nected at theirupperends with said type supand the methods substantially as set forth in theappended claims. I I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mechanical shorthand writing means of the class described, thecombination with a platen roller adapted to position a paperstripthereon, and a ribbon in, spaced. relation therewith, of aplurality of 'shiftable type supporting members provided with typethereon arranged in separate single consecutive rows parallel with saidroller and facing the same, the normal upright disposed relation of saidtype arranged in parallel longtudinal relation with said roller wherebytyped character impressions printed by said type on said paper strip aredisposed in upright relation one above the other readable in single rowsin continuity transversely of said paper strip.

2. In a mechanical shorthand writing means of the class described, thecombination with a platen roller adapted to position a paper stripthereon, and a ribbon in spaced relation therewith, of a plurality ofshiftable type supporting members provided with type thereon arranged inrows parallel with said roller and facing the same, the normal uprightdisposed relation of said type arranged in parallel longitudinalrelation with said roller whereby typed character impressions printed bysaid type on said paper strip are,disposed in upright relation one abovethe other readable in continuity transversely of said paper strip, aplurality of pivotally mounted type member operating levers pivotallyconnected with said type supporting members intermediate the ends ofsaid type supporting members, and main key supporting levers providedwith keys on their extended ends and pivotally mounted at their oppositeends, said type member operating levers pivotally connected with saidkey supporting levers at one side of said opposite pivotally mounted endof each of said main key supporting levers. I

3. In a mechanical shorthand writing means of the class described, thecombination with a platen roller adapted to position a paper stripthereon, and a ribbon in spaced relation therewith, of a plurality ofshiftable type supporting members provided with type thereon arranged inrows parallel with said roller and facing the same, the normal uprightdisposed relation of said type arranged in parallel longitudinalrelation with said roller whereby typed character impressions printed bysaid type on said paper strip are disposed in upright relation one abovethe other readable in continuity transversely of said paper strip, aplurality of stationary pivotally mounted type member operating leverspivotally connected with said type supporting members intermediate theends 'of said type supporting members, main key supporting leversproporting members at their opposite ends from said type, the lower endsof said type member operating links pivotally connected with said keyengaging levers intermediate the ends of said key engaging levers. I

4. In a mechanical writing means of the class described, v:thecombination of main key supporting levers each pivotally mounted at one.end, keys reciprocably mounted in connection with the opposite end ofeach of said main key supporting levers and arranged to shift the same,pivotally mounted key engaging levers engageable with of said main keysupporting levers with thereciprocating movement of said keys relativelyto said main key supporting levers, type member operating leverspivotally connected with said main key supporting levers and typesupporting members pivotally mounted on said type'mem- -ber operatinglevers, said key engaging levers pivotally connected with said typesupporting members.

5. In a mechanical writing means of the class described, the combinationof main key supporting levers each pivotally mounted at one end. keysreciprocably mounted in connectionwith the opposite end of each of saidmain key supporting levers and arranged to shift the same, pivotallymounted key engaging levers engageable with said keys and operativethereby independently of said main key supporting levers with thereciprocating movement of said keys relatively to said main keysupporting levers, type member operating levers pivotally connected withsaid main key supporting levers and type supporting members pivotallymounted on said type member operating levers, said key engaging leverspivotally connected with said type supporting members, said typesupporting members provided with several type character members thereon.

6. In a mechanical writing means of the class described, the combinationof main key support- *said keys and operative thereby independently inglevers each'pivotally mounted at one end, keys eating movement of saidkeys relatively to said main key supporting levers, type memberoperating levers pivotally connected with said main key supportinglevers and type supporting members pivotally mounted on said type memberoperating levers, said key engaging levers pivotally connected with saidtype supporting members, said type supporting members provided withseveral type character members thereon, and a platen roller in spacedrelation therewith.

7. In a mechanicaiwriting means of the class described, the combinationof main key supporting levers each pivotally mounted at one end, keysbers provided with several type character membersthereon, a platenroller in spaced relation therewith and link means interconnecting saidkey engaging levers and said type supporting members.

8. In a mechanical shorthand writing means of the class described, thecombination with a ribbon and a platen roller adapted to position apaper strip thereon, of a plurality of type supporting members shiftablymounted in relation to said ribbon and said roller and having typethereon positioned on their sides and arranged in separate singleconsecutive rows transversely of said paper strip whereby typedcharacter impressions representing subject matter printed by said typesupporting members on said paper strip are positioned in uprightrelation one above the other readable in single rows in continuitytransversely of said paper strip.

9. In a mechanical shorthand writing means of the class described, thecombination with .a ribbon and a platen roller adapted to position apaper strip thereon, of a plurality of type supporting members shiftablymounted in relation to said ribbon and said roller and having typethereon positioned on their right sides longitudinally disposed to saidplaten roller and arranged in separate single consecutive rowstransversely of said paper strip whereby typed character impressionsrepresenting subject matter printed by said type supporting members onsaid paper strip are positioned in upright relation one above the otherreadable in single rows in continuity transversely of said paper strip.

10. In a mechanical shorthand writing means of the class described, thecombination with a platen roller'adapted to position a paper stripthereon and a ribbon in spaced relation therewith, of a plurality oftype supporting members arranged in pivotally and reciprocably mountedrelation with said roller and provided with type 11. In a mechanicalshorthand writing means of the class described, the combination with aplaten roller adapted to position a paper strip thereon and a ribbon inspaced relation therewith, of a plurality of shiftable type supportingmembers provided with type thereon arranged in rows parallel with saidroller and facing the same,'the normal upright disposed relation of saidtype arranged in parallel longitudinal relation with said roller wherebytyped character impressions printed by said type on said paper strip aredisposed in upright relation one above the other readable in continuitytransversely of said paper strip, a plurality of stationary pivotallymounted type member operating levers pivotally connected with said typesupporting members intermediate the ends of said type supporting membersand main key supporting levers provided with keys on their extended endsand pivotally mounted at their opposite ends, said type member operatinglevers pivotally connected with said key supporting levers at one sideof said opposite pivotally mounted end of said main key supportinglevers, said keys provided with shank portions reciprocably mounted insaid main key supporting levers and key engaging and type operatinglevers engageable therewith.

12. In a mechanical shorthand writing means of the class described, thecombination with a platen roller adapted to position a paper stripthereon and a ribbon in spaced relation therewith, of a plurality oftype supporting members arranged in pivotally and reciprocably mountedrelation with said roller andprovided with character members thereon inrows parallel with said roller and facing the same, the normal uprightdisposed relation of said type arranged in parallel longitudinalrelation with said roller whereby type character impressions printed bysaid type onsaid paper strip are disposed in upright relation one abovethe other readable in continuity transversely of said paper strip, aplurality of stationary pivotally mounted type member operating leverspivotally connected with said type supporting members intermediate theends of said type supporting members, main key supporting leversprovided with keys on their extended ends and pivotally mounted at theiropposite ends, said type member operating levers pivotally connectedwith said key supporting levers at one side of said opposite pivotallymounted end of each of said main key supporting levers, said keysprovided with shank portions reciprocably mounted in said main keysupporting levers and key engaging and type operating levers eachpivotally mounted at one end and positioned in adjacent relation abletherewith.

V. KIRKPATRICK.

